Tampon applicator impedance



United States Patent Inventor John Leslie Jones, Sr.,

1070 Glen Oaks Blvd., Pasadena, California 91105 Appl. No. 785,265

Filed Dec. 19, 1968 Patented Oct. 20, 1970 TAMPON APPLICATOR IMPEDANCE 6Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 128/263, 128/260 Int. Cl A61f 15/00 Field ofSearch 128/260,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,717 3/1952 Fourness128/263 Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Att0rnL'yJ. L. Jones ABSTRACT: Africtional impedance securing together the inner plunger tube within theouter tube, in a pair of telescoping menstrual tampon storage andapplicator tubes. The frictional impedance secures the inner tube withinthe outer tube without interfering with the required tube telescopingmechanism.

Patented Oct. 20, 1970 i 75 Q; I ENTOR @5 Lu [771 a, ZVQQ 0 TAMPONAPPLICATOR IMPEDANCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a wellestablished usage of a pair of telescoping tubes which hold and applymenstrual tampons. The pair of telescoping tubes typically are made ofpaper or polyethylene plastic, or combinations of the two materials. Thetampon is typically enclosed in a receptacle in the outer tube, one endof the tampon being coterminous with the end of the outer tube which isinserted in the vagina. The inner tube may closely fit inside the outertube and one end of the inner tube forms the second end of thereceptacle in which the tampon is enclosed.

It is very important for consumer protection to provide a pair oftelescoping applicator tubes which does not allow the inner plunger tubeto fall out of the outer tube, while the con sumer is handling thetampon device. Likewise it is important from a manufacturing costviewpoint that the mating outer diameter of the inner plunger tube andthe inner diameter of the outer tube be set at manufacturing tolerancelimits which allow high speed production without tube rejection due tovariations in tube diameters. It is also important that applicator tubesdo not fit together too tightly for easy consumer use. A means is neededto secure the pair of telescoping tubes together, which can overcomethese problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention teaches a detent means forsecuring the inner plunger tube to the inside of the tampon insertionouter tube by means of a frictional impedance. The frictional impedanceis formed by the pair of telescoping applicator tubes, as requiredduring the tampon and applicator tube pair final assembly.

Included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a simple, easily formed frictional impedance for apair of telescoping tampon applicator tubes.

Second, to provide a securing means for a pair of telescoping menstrualtampon applicator tubes, which prevent the pair of tubes from easilybecoming disjointed.

Third, to provide a detent means for one tube of a pair of menstrualtampon telescoping applicator tubes; said detent means capable of beingformed on either the inner or outer tube of the pair.

Fourth, to provide a detent means for a tube of a pair of telescopingmenstrual tampon applicator tubes, which is easily formed in a singletube after the tube is manufactured.

Fifth, to provide a securing means for a pair of telescoping menstrualtampon applicator tubes, which can be cooperative- 1y operated while themenstrual tampon is enclosed in the tampon insertion outer tube.

Other objects of this invention are taught in the following descriptionand claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational perspectiveview of a pair of telescoping menstrual tampon applicator tubes inoperational position, having a frictional impedance securing the pair oftubes together. The applicator contains a menstrual tampon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective elevational view of one end of an outer tube ofa pair of telescoping tampon applicator tubes having a detent means,illustrated by one hinged tube wall flap formed from the tube wall.

FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of one end of an inner plungertube of a pair of telescoping tampon applicator tubes having a detentmeans, illustrated by another modification of a hinged tube wall flapformed from the tube wall.

FIG. 4 is another perspective elevational view of one end of an outertube of a pair of telescoping tampon applicator tubes having a detentmeans. The detent means is two hinged tube wall flaps formed from thetube wall and disposed on a circumference of the tube.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view through 55 of FIG. 1 illustrating thegeometrical position of the hinged tube wall flap formed from the outertube wall, and disposed in a pair of telescoping tubes of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective elevational view of another modification of apair of telescoping menstrual tampon applicator tubes having anoperative frictional impedance securing the two applicator tubestogether.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through 7-7 of FIG. 6 illustrating thecooperative operation of the FIG. 6 modification of the frictionalimpedance invention.

FIG. 8 is still another perspective elevational view of one end of anouter tube of a pair of telescoping menstrual tampon applicator tubes,having a hinged tube wall flap formed in the tube wall with the hingeparallel to the axis of symmetry of the tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. l in detail, apair of telescoping menstrual tampon applicator tubes 1 is shown inperspective elevational view, with a menstrual tampon 2 disposed thereinand the tampon withdrawal string 3 extending from the tubes 1. Thetampon insertion outer tube 4 has the inner plunger tube 6 telescopedinto it for a controlled distance, forming a menstrual tampon receptacle8 inside of the outer tube 4. The receptacle 8 is bounded by the outertube terminus 9 and the inner tube terminus 10. The tampon 2 iscoterminous with the outer tube terminus 9 and also the other inner tubeterminus 10. The frictional impedance 1 is shown in operation, locatedadjacent the tampon applicator handle means 12. The frictional impedance11 comprises a tube wall flap 13, connected to the wall 14 of tube 4 bythe flap wall hinge IS, the tube wall flap being in tight frictionalslide contact with the outer surface 16 of the inner plunger tube 6. Thetube wall flap I3 is folded inward from the exterior of tube 4, beingparallel and contiguous to the inner surface of the tube 4. The tubewall flap 13 is formed by precisely cutting a flap section 13 from thetube wall 14, the flap 13 remaining attached to the wall 14 by the wallhinge 15, leaving a flap opening 17 in the wall 14 which is equivalentin area pattern to the wall flap 13.

The frictional impedance lll provides a tight, frictional slide fitbetween the outer tube 4 and the inner tube 6, when the inner tube 6 istelescoped into the outer tube 4 by the tampon applicator handle means12.

FIGS. 2 and 3 together illustrate in detail two detent meansmodifications of the tube wall hinged flap construction which can beutilized in two frictional impedance modifications. FIG. 2 discloses apartial length of tampon insertion outer tube 20, having a tube wallflap 21 disposed a suitable distance from the tampon applicator handlemeans terminus 22 of the tube 20. The wall flap 21 is shown foldedinward on the wall hinge 23, and lying parallel to the inner surface 24of the tube 20. The wall flap opening 25 is equivalent in area patternto the wall flap 21, since the flap 21 is cut from the tube wall. FIG. 3discloses a partial length of an inner plunger tube 30, having a tubewall flap 31 disposed a suitable distance from the tube end 32 whichforms one terminus of a tampon receptacle, such as receptacle 8 of FIG.I. The wall flap 31 is shown folded outward on the wall hinge 33, andlying parallel to the outer surface 34 of the tube 30. The wall flapopening 35 is equivalent in area pattern to the wall flap 31, since theflap 31 is cut from thetube wall 36.

In principle the tube wall flap 21, or the like, of the tampon insertionouter tube 20, or the like, is folded inward, lying parallel to theinner surface of the tube. Likewise, the tube wall flap 31, or the like,of the inner plunger tube 30, or the like, is folded outward, lyingparallel to the outer surface of the tube. In general, the tube wallflap 21, or the like, is disposed a suitable short distance, one-eighthto onehalf inch, from the end of the tube 20 which is a part of thehandle means terminus 22, or the like. Likewise, the tube wall flap 31,or the like, is disposed a suitable short distance, one-eighth toone-half inch, from the tube end 32, or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates in detail the detent means modification embodyingplural tube wall flaps. A partial length of a tampon insertion outertube 40 is illustrated, having two tube wall flaps 41 and 41. The flaps41 and 41 have respective hinges 42 and 42', which secure the flapsparallel to the inner surface 43 of the tube 40. The flaps 41 and 41, aswell as the hinges 42 and 42', are formed by cutting and bending thetube wall 44. The two flaps 41 and 41' are disposed in suitablepositions on a circumference of the tube 40, at suitable distance(oneeighth to one-half inch) adjacent the tampon handle means terminus45 of tube 40. The needed plural number of tube flaps can be formed onthe tube.

FIG. illustrates in cross-sectional view through 5-5 of FIG. 1 theoperational positions of tampon insertion outer tube 4 and inner plungertube 6, held in a cooperative, tight, frictional slide, telescopicposition by the tube wall flap 13. The tube wall flap l3 slides on theouter surface 16 of the inner tube 6. A crescent shaped cross sectionopening 50 between the two tubes 4 and 6 generates a similarcross-sectional shaped tubular orifice as the pair of tubes 4 and 6 aretelescoped together in use. If two or more tube wall flaps are utilizedin a modification of this invention, they would normally generate anannular tubular cross section opening corresponding to the opening 50,if the wall flaps are placed diametrically opposed.

Dimensionally the tube walls of tubes 4 and 6, and the like, aretypically 0.015 inch thick. In a typical operational model of the pairof applicator tubes 1, the outer tampon insertion tube 4 is 0.608 inchoutside diameter and 0.578 inch inside diameter. The inner plunger tube6 is 0.558 inch outside diameter, providing a crescent shaped maximumgap of 0.020 inch. The folded tube wall flap of 0.015 inch thickness,plus the spring tension provided by the paper flap wall hinge 15, coactto form a tight, frictional slide for the inner tube 6 which holds itfirmly in place.

FIG. 6 illustrates in further detail another pair of applicator tubes60, telescoped in cooperative operational position. In this modificationthe tampon insertion outer tube 61 does not have a tube wall flap. Theinner plunger tube 62 has a tube wall flap 63 formed from the tube wall64, as similarly illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. The tube wall flap 63is equivalent in area pattern to the flap opening 65. The menstrualtampon receptacle 66 is formed inside the tube 61, between the tubeterminus 67 of tube 61, and the tube terminus 68 of tube 62. Theterminus 69 of tube 61 is opposed to terminus 67.

The frictional impedance 70 shown in detail in FIG. 7 is across-sectional view through 77 of FIG. 6. The outer tube 61 is shown inpartial lengthwise view in the vicinity of terminus 69. The innerplunger tube 62 is likewise shown in partial lengthwise view, in thevicinity of terminus 68, the tube 62 being telescoped into the outertube 61. The frictional impedance 70 is shown in operative condition.The tube wall flap 63 is formed by cutting a flap opening 65 in the tubewall 64 and outwardly folding the flap 63 at the wall hinge 71 to aposition parallel to the outer surface 72 of the tube wall 64. The tubewall flap opening 65 is disposed in a position adjacent to the tubeterminus 68 of tube 62, and the flap wall hinge 71 is disposed adjacentthe inner tube end portion of the tampon applicator handle means 73. Theflap 63 is thus disposed to slide smoothly and tightly in the crescentshaped cross section annular gap 74 in the direction of the arrow 75showing the operational direction of the telescoping movement.

The tube wall flaps 13, 21, 31, 41, 41, 63 are shown secured by theirrespective wall hinges 15, 23, 33, 42, 42, 71, and these hinges areshown disposed normal to the axis of symmetry of the respective tubes.In FIG. 8 a further modification of a tube wall flap is illustrated, thetube wall flap 80 of semicircular shaped pattern is shown connected by awall hinge 81 to the tube wall 82. The flap 80 is formed from the tubewall 82, generating the semicircular opening 83. The flap 80 is foldedinwardly lying parallel to the inner surface 84 of the wall 82. Thehinge is disposed parallel to the axis of symmetry of the tamponinsertion outer tube 85. The flap 80 is disposed adjacent (one-eighth toone-half inch) of the tube terminus 86.

In a simple test, the pair of applicator tubes 60 constructed as in FIG.6 with the above listed tube dimensions was held in one hand, by tube61. The tube 61 was shaken as one would a bottle of medicine, with thetube 62 extending downward. The tube 62 did not fall out, even afterseveral hard shakes. Then the inner plunger tube 62 was reversed as totube ends, and reinserted in tube 61 to form a modified tamponapplicator handle means, with no frictional impedance. On shaking thepair of applicator tubes 60 again as above, the unsecured tube 62 fellout on the first shake.

Obviously the diameters of the outer and inner tubes of the pair oftelescoping applicator tubes may be varied as required, along withrequired variations in the tube wall thicknesses. Wide manufacturingtolerances on the tube diameterscan be allowed, since the crescent orannular shaped tubular orifice required for the frictional impedance isof the magnitude of 0.015--0.03O inch gap width. Further, since the wallflap occupies only a small fraction of the circumference of the pair oftubes, slight distortion of either the inner or outer tube into an eggshaped cross section on telescoping the tubes, allows for a furthervariation in tube diameters.

Typically, the wall flaps may be triangular, rectangular, semicircularor other geometrical shapes as required. The wall flaps are typicallyone-eighth to three-sixteenths inch, or the like, in a typicaldimension. The flap dimensions are those required to coact as described.

The frictional impedance as described may be formed as a step in thefinal assembly of a tampon in a pair of telescoping applicator tubes.Either, just before or just after the tampon is placed in the outertube, the tube wall flap is formed in the designated inner or outertube, as by a perforating or punching tool. The inner tube is theninserted. Thus the necessity of carefully indexing the correct ends ofthe pair of telescoping tubes is avoided in the assembly operation.Plain tube blanks can be made at high speed on standard tube rollingmachines. The plain tubes are then fed, unindexed, t0 the tampon andapplicator assembly machine, where the tube flap is formed just beforefinal product assembly.

Obviously many modifications and variations in my tampon applicatorfrictional impedance fiiay be made in the light of my teachings. It istherefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as described.

I claim:

1. A frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrual tamponapplicator tubes comprising: at least one hinged tube wall flap formedfrom the wall of one tube of the pair of telescoping tubes, said atleast one tube wall flap folded at the at least one flap wall hinge ofthe tube wall and located interiorly between the inner wall of the outertelescoping tube and the outer wall of the inner telescoping tube, saidat least one tube wall flap uniformly located around the circumferenceof the tube a suitable distance from the menstrual tampon receptacle ofthe pair of telescoping applicator tubes adjacent to the tamponapplicator handle means; and the inner diameter of said outer tube andthe outer diameter of said inner tube adapted to provide a tight,frictional slide, annular cross section, tubular orifice for said atleast one tube wall flap, when said inner tube is telescoped into saidouter tube, utilizing said applicator handle means.

2. In the frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrualtampon applicator tubes of claim 1, the modification having only onetube wall flap.

3. A frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrual tamponapplicator tubes comprising: a hinged tube wall flap formed from andinteriorly extending from the tube wall of the outer telescoping tube,said tube wall flap folded at the flap wall hinge parallel to the innersurface of said outer tube, and said tube wall flap located at the outertube end opposite the tampon insertion end, and the inner diameter ofthe outer tube and the outer diameter of the inner tube of the pair oftelescoping tubes adapted to provide a tight, frictional slide, crescentshaped cross section, tubular orifice for said tube wall flap, when saidinner tube is telescoped into said outer tube utilizing the applicatorhandle means.

4. In the frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrualtampon applicator tubes of claim 3, the modification wherein said flaphinge is disposed adjacent said tampon insertion end and opposite thewall flap opening, said wall flap opening is disposed adjacent the outertube portion of said tampon applicator handle means.

5. A frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrual tamponapplicator tubes comprising: a hinged tube wall flap formed from andexteriorly extending from the tube wall of the inner telescoping tube,said tube wall flap folded at the flap wall hinge parallel to the outersurface of said inner tube, and said tube wall flap is disposed at theinner tube end telescoped into the outer tube end; and the innerdiameter of the outer tube and the outer diameter of the inner tube ofthe pair of telescoping tubes adapted to provide a tight, frictionalslide, crescent shaped cross section, tubular orifice for said tube wallflap, when said inner tube is telescoped into said outer tube, utilizingsaid applicator handle means.

6. ln the frictional impedance for a pair of telescoping menstrualtampon applicator tubes of claim 5, the modification wherein said flaphinge is disposed at the inner tube end telescoped into the outer tubeend and the wall flap opening is disposed adjacent the inner tube endforming a tampon receptacle base.

